"Of course you wouldn't," I sigh as I drop my head into my hand. "You probably have whole fleets of drivers at your disposal. Proper drivers with suits and guns and stupid little flags on their antennas."

"Cael is really hard to find if he doesn't want to be found," I sigh heavily. "And with what's happened, he'll have fallen back on the instructions I gave him should Richard ever come for me. He and Ljuba can't be found. Anyone who tries is as good as dead - and if they aren't, they'll be as good as dead.

"No," I say firmly. "I won't allow it. We'll find each other sooner or later. I'd rather have her worry than risk Cael acting on a misunderstanding."

"That could work," I nod as I hesitate reluctantly. "They'd probably come to Soltera anyway, though... I only just learned that it was Wesley that was responsible for what happened. I hadn't received word from my people yet when I left, so we had no idea that he was banished from Soltera. I assumed that's where he would go after his last trip, what with the snow setting in."

I hesitate after giving her the number and the passcode to start the message with. "Just tell her that her assignment is off. I don't need the information any longer. Her payment is in the dead drop in Ledes."

"No," I state firmly, moving the phone to my other hand and locking the screen as I watch him. "I know you may not like this, but we're stuck together for the time being, and for this to go smoothly, we need to be able to trust one another. I've no reason to distrust you, and I've given you no reason to distrust me, but I'm not eager to be sending my phone number out into the world, with no idea who it's being sent to.

"She's a good person," I say roughly. "She only agreed to this assignment because it's Wesley. Otherwise, her reports are only ever about trading information and where there have been rumors about good scavenging spots in the wastes. I've been in touch with her for years and I only just now learned what you and Wilson's names even are."

I scowl as I unlock the phone, hitting send before tossing it down into the seat angrily.

"I hope the information was worth it," I say roughly, picking up my whiskey and sipping it as I stare back out the window. "And I hope you've paid her handsomely, because she won't be working in the Gatz estate after tomorrow."

"She didn't give me any information!" I protest. "That's why I had you send the text - to call her off. She didn't feel right prying into your business - insisted it wasn't relevant to Wesley. And after what you told me, I didn't want her giving me any details on what he did to you. I assume that's why she wasn't comfortable with the job."

"I don't care!" I spat, "Anyone who would be willing to sell my family's information while working under my roof is unwelcome! The fact she didn't tell you certain things is the only reason Wilson isn't being brought into this, because I can guarantee you he would not be a lax as I'm being on the matter.

"She will be let go, she will be given a recommendation and severance, but she will never work for my family again."

I huff at that as I lean against the door, my gaze fixated out the window as though there's something other than darkness for me to stare at.

"And you didn't think I had anything to offer as sorry old Richard's husband," I grumble under my breath. "I have half a dozen others - not in your house - that I won't be calling off. I may not need information on your family so much now, but by the end of this, I'll know your brother better than you do."

"Forgive me for underestimating the abused pile of bruise that I met last night." I chide, my mood souring as I take another long drink of whiskey. The warm tingle of the alcohol is starting to radiate through my face, and I chew my lips absently between drinks.